The first-ever Lexus UX is the latest addition to the sport utility lineup, featuring the company’s first Direct Shift-CVT and a completely new platform.
We got a 2019 Lexus UX teaser last week, with a proper look now during the official unveil at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show. The muscular little UX is the company’s first-ever compact luxury crossover, joining the family of GX, LX, NX, and three-row RX sport utilities.
Production begins this fall then expect the UX 200 and UX 250h to arrive at dealerships this December 2018. Pricing isn’t announced yet but we’ll have that closer to sale date later this year.
New UX Crossover Features
New platform
It’s all about smaller crossovers these days, targeting urbanites with active lifestyles. The UX crossover is no exception but plays in the luxury segment for those willing to spend a bit more.
The UX will sit on a completely new platform with a focus on better handling via a more rigid design sporting a lower centre of gravity. Lexus calls it the GA-C platform (Global Architecture – Compact), and the UX is the first in the family to be using it.
Exterior Design
Despite its compact size, this smaller utility flosses a more muscular look from the bold haunches and high beltline to that oversized, in-your-face grill we’re familiar with across the Lexus lineup.
Rolling on new 17-inch and 18-inch aluminum wheel designs exclusive to the UX, the five-spoke 17-inch wheels feature a world-first aerodynamic design, according to Lexus.
A new Lexus signature feature includes the full-width taillights with a distinctive nighttime signature formed by a sequence of 120 LEDs and tapering toward the center, measuring 3mm thick at its narrowest point.
Making parking duties in those tight spaces a little easier, the UX finds a best-in-segment 34-foot turning circle paired to the 103.9-in. wheelbase and 177-inch length.
UX Interior
Inside, the cabin combines a highly focused driver’s cockpit with a wide and inviting passenger space; the instrument panel and cabin trim offer a choice of two different grain patterns and four colours.
The idea here is to blur the boundary between a home’s exterior and interior. We’re not entirely sure what that means but if you like the spacey Lexus look, you’ll be a fan of the UX’s interior focusing on a more seamless feel.
Sitting in the drivers seat, the upper section of the instrument panel appears to extend out beyond the windshield, giving the driver a decent field of vision and a clear sense of the vehicle’s dimensions. Viewed from outside the vehicle, the hood appears to connect directly to the instrument panel through the windshield.
Lexus UX Models: 2 Available
UX 200: New CVT transmission
The 168-hp UX 200 finds a 2.0L inline four-cylinder powerplant focused on providing ultra-efficiency paired to a new CVT. This new transmission, dubbed Direct Shift-CVT, is a Lexus-first.
Not everyone is a fan of this type of tranny but it’s making its way into the majority of vehicles these days. Why? Because it focuses on adding more efficiency by combining the smooth, fuel-efficient performance of a conventional continuously variable transmission with a more direct driving feel.
Because the gears reduce the need for the CVT’s pulleys and belt mechanism to be used in the low range, more of the CVT’s ratio spread can be dedicated to the higher range, maximizing efficiency.
UX 250H: All-wheel drive hybrid crossover
You can’t have a new Lexus without a hybrid in the mix – the Japanese automaker was the first brand to introduce a luxury hybrid 15 years ago.
The 2019 UX 200H sports a new-generation hybrid powertrain with a projected output of 176 total system horsepower. This model also benefits from an all-wheel drive setup by using an additional electric motor on the rear axle.
For good measure, Lexus throws in the F SPORT treatment for both the UX 200 and the hybrid 200H, opening up the new crossover to better driving dynamics.
Expect exclusive F SPORT suspension tuning with specific springs and stabilizer bars, plus rear performance dampers to sharpen handling agility, with an optional UX-tailored version of the high-response Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) system that brings with it the Sport S+ mode in the vehicle’s Drive Mode Select system.
Of course, you get some cosmetic updates with the UX F SPORT including a mesh version of the spindle grille, 18-inch alloy wheels, jet-black trim on the front and rear moldings, an instrument meter with a moving outer ring, an F SPORT steering wheel with a dimpled leather covering, and an 8-inch TFT colour display, plus sports aluminum pedals and footrest.
Lexus’ LC 500 has been a highly anticipated car since it was unveiled at the 2016Detroit Auto Show. Although Lexus has their “F” line of performance oriented cars, the LC500 was designed from the ground up to be a performance car. So much so that the head honchos at Lexus hired in a group of outside engineers during the road and track development phase.
Now that performance equation has been one upped again with Lexus stating that the car will make it to production with more power than originally planned. That’s always good news! The LC500 will be powered by a tuned 5.0L V8 which will pump out 471 hp and 398 lb/ft of torque. This is all thanks to a fully reworked intake and exhaust system. All of that power will be channeled through Lexus’ 10-speed automatic transmission.
Those of us who grew up in the 90’s remember the infiltration of Japanese supercars which contended with the likes of those coming out of Italy and Germany. This included the Acura NSX, Mazda RX7 and the Toyota Supra. All of these vehicles have long been discontinued, but some have moved on to newer iterations. Acura recently released their all new NSX. Mazda made the RX8 which never lived up to the car that was the RX7. But only Toyota remains in producing a car as a successor to their dominating Supra.
The rumor mill surrounding an all new Supra has been circulating for a while and Toyota has not denied that they are working on something. When Toyota put out the FT-1 concept a few years back, it was beginning to pave the way ahead for a design concept for the new Supra. Now there are rumors that Lexus’ new engine might find it’s way into the heart of a new Supra. Again, all of this is speculation until we see something a bit more official. That powerplant will be a twin turbocharged six-cylinder engine which recently has proven to be a potent powerplant across many automakers.
The amazingly beautiful and all new Lexus LC 500 is about to go into production and we’ve been ogling over it’s beauty since the first time we saw it as a concept car. With the reality production coming soon, Lexus released a video showcasing all the tech features of the vehicles as well as treated our ears with a full on belching from the 5.0L V8.
The 2018 Lexus LC 500 really doesn’t need a huge sales pitch. On the outside, it’s an absolutely beautifully sculpted pieces of machinery. Lexus went ahead and threw it’s best designers and engineers at it. They then went outside the company and hired external consultants to come in and do some more testing and tweaking to ensure that their final product will dismiss the talks about the brand’s cars being boring driving cars. And then there’s the sound coming out of that V8….that oh so glorious sound!
The LC500 will be going into production shortly so it will be a reality on the streets before we know it. We certainly can’t wait to see it on the road. Oh and did I mention that sound?
Lexus’ current generation lineup of cars has taken on a very aggressive and angular design philosophy which strikes a great balance between performance and luxury. The current generation IS has been in production since 2013 and was due for a face lift.
The new IS debuted at the Beijing Auto Show and the face lift brings in an even more aggressive profile The front facia has a much larger center grille and vents. Lexus redesigned the headlights of the new IS incorporating LED daytime running light bars.
Engine choices remain the same with base four-cylinder turbo which generates 241hp and a top of the line 3.5L V6 that pumps out 306hp.
When it comes to the ultra exclusive club, the LFA by Lexus definitely fits the bill. Lexus produced only 500 LFAs and an even smaller 200 of them made it to the US. At a time when the Lexus brand was catching a lot of flack for producing mundane and boring cars, they throw everyone’s perception of the brand on its head by making the LFA which is what super cars desire to be. With a 4.8-liter V10 packing 552hp screaming its way up to a 9,000-rpm redline.
Lexus produced these cars for a very brief period in time and stopped manufacturing them by 2012. Since then, the LFA has soared in value. But recently, there seems to be a shift in the pricing with them commanding a more appropriate pricing for around the $375,000 that they originally sold for. Amazingly, there are some examples selling in Florida for less than the original asking price, and buyers might even get a deal for examples being sold at auction.
If this pricing trend continues for the LFA, it might find itself in the mid to high 200 range, which puts it in an interesting pricing point with a few other supercars. This might make deciding between super cars an interesting predicament amongst those with deep wallets.
The RC F GT Concept is a race prepped street car which is slotted between the production RC F and the RC F GT3 race car. The GT Concept will be powered by the 5.0L V8 that’s currently in the RC F, but will be slightly tuned with a performance exhaust and a modified lubricating and cooling system to keep things in check.
The RC F GT Concept will also go on a healthy diet shedding almost 800 pounds thanks to the use of carbon and composite materials throughout. According to Jeff Bracken, VP of Lexus, “The GT Concept shows the opportunities of the platform and powertrain that underpins our F models”
Lexus set the stage for their performance segment when they brought the ISF to the public. It was an affordable four door hot rod of a sedan. Now they’re taking it to the next level once again by having their engineers churn our another F model vehicle, this time in the shape of a GS which will take on the BMW’s M5 and Mercedes’ E63.
Lexus’ GSF may look somewhat similar on the outside to its other GS siblings, but a deeper look quickly indicates that the F model is wider, lower and longer than the others in the lineup. The suspension on the GSF has been tuned with aggressive springs matched with electronically controlled shocks which can settings to suit your different driving needs. Whether its taking the kids to school, or taking the car on the track for the weekend fun, the GSF is fully capable to handle whatever is thrown at it.
Under the hood lies a high-revving 5.0L V-8 that pumps out 467 hp and 389 lb/ft of torque. That translates to a 4.5 second sprint to 100km/h and the bulky GSF can cover a quarter of a mile in a mere 12.8 second
If Mercedes can make an AMG wagon family hauler, why can’t Lexus? And what better platform to use than the LC500. One can dream, but for the time being, here’s a render of what that might look like to curb our hunger and lust for such a car.
Designer Rain Prisk has took it upon himself to dream up a concept Lexus LC500 wagon and the end result of his handy work is nothing short of amazing. Prisk redesigned the car from the C pillars back to incorporate a covered trunk section. The front has also been digitally massaged to incorporate larger side vents similar to those found on the LFA.
The Lexus LC500 is a very capable vehicle as it is powered by a 5.0L V8 engine with 467hp and 389 lb/ft of torque. The LC500 will also use Lexus’ bran new ten speed automatic transmission. The platform that the LC500 sits on is also brand new. It will be shared with other cars in the Lexus lineup, but we are hoping to see it be used to bring out the next generation Toyota Supra.
When Lexus created the LFA, it really showed the world what the company was capable of when they put their mind to it. Trouble is many of their recent performance oriented cars just don’t stack up to the legend that is the LFA. But now, there’s something that’s one better…well sort of.
The Lexus Resenheim dealership in Germany has in their possession a Lexus LFA Nurburgring edition. This particular LFA has a 4.8L V8 which pumps out 562hp instead of the stock 552hp. The Nurburgring edition is limited to just 50 examples and features custom aero which helped it post a 7:20 laptime at the ring.
Of the 50 made, this is definitely a 1 of 1. Toyota president Akio Toyoda has personally left his signature on this car which has been clearcoated over for added protection. A rare LFA indeed, and it also commands a rare car price tag of $7.18 million.
